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HB 4925WEST VIRGINIASession 2026State Billdead

Did Not Advance

West Virginia Bill 4925 legalizes intrastate sale and distribution of custom-slaughtered meat without USDA or state inspection

Original title: West Virginia Prime Act

Last action · January 29, 2026: To House Government OrganizationSponsors: Chris Anders and 5 others

Bill progressHistory & official text ↓

Introduced

Committee

Floor Vote

Passed

Law

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What This Bill Proposed

House Bill 4925 authorizes the sale, transfer, and distribution of custom-slaughtered meat directly to consumers, restaurants, and retailers within West Virginia without requiring USDA or state inspection, effective July 1, 2026.

Why it matters

Changes meat purchasing rules by allowing local livestock producers to sell custom-processed meat directly to grocery stores and consumers inside the state, exempting them from traditional inspection mandates while barring the meat from crossing state lines.

Who It Would Have Affected

Groups the bill's text would have affected, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.

Directly affected

West Virginia farmers and ranchers

Producers are permitted to sell custom-slaughtered meat directly to consumers and retailers within the state without federal or state inspection.

Directly affected

Custom-exempt facilities

Facilities must maintain federal custom-exempt status, keep source and recipient records, and comply with sanitation standards while participating in intrastate commerce.

Directly affected

Retailers and restaurants

Retailers and restaurants are authorized to purchase, store, cook, serve, and sell custom-slaughtered meat directly to end consumers.

Directly affected

West Virginia Department of Agriculture

The agency is restricted from requiring inspection or enacting rules beyond federal custom-exempt standards, but may maintain a directory of participating facilities.

Key Facts

You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can custom-slaughtered meat bought under this act be shipped across state lines?

No. Meat processed and sold under this act is restricted exclusively to within West Virginia and must be labeled as not for interstate commerce.

Are local health departments allowed to ban the sale of this meat?

No. Local governments and health departments cannot prohibit or restrict the sale or processing of custom-slaughtered meat under this act, except under temporary, narrow rules for a documented imminent public health threat reported to the Legislature within 30 days.

What labeling is required on meat sold under the PRIME Act?

All custom-slaughtered meat sold under this act must clearly display the statement: 'Processed in a . Not for interstate commerce.'

What else do you want to know?

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Where This Stands

This bill did not become law - Died at adjournment · in House committee.

Procedural history

4 actions

Jan 29, 2026HouseCommittee
To House Government Organization
Jan 29, 2026HouseIntroduced
Introduced in House
Jan 29, 2026HouseCommittee
To Government Organization then Health and Human Resources
Jan 29, 2026HouseIntroduced
Filed for introduction

Version history

Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.

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